Category: Vegas transfers

We’ve all been there: bored out of our minds on the long ride through the desert on our way to Las Vegas. But lots can be done to spice up your desert road trip! First of all, partying it up by riding with a limousine or party bus will make your trip exciting and memorable. Instead of worrying about staying awake and keeping your eyes on the road, relax in the back while blasting your favorite music and enjoying a full bar with all your favorite drinks and snacks. But why remain in the bus or car with all the great stops in and around the Mojave Desert? While maybe unknown to most, there are lots of stop for all interests on the stretch from LA to Vegas. Whether you want to see the world’s largest thermometer, thousands of year old petroglyphs or maybe America’s second-largest meteorite, there are lots of stops to be made on the way to Sin City. From outlet shopping, original stretches of Route 66, maybe California’s coolest ghost town to the hottest place on planet Earth — these are our picks for best stops between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

8. World’s Tallest Thermometer

World’s tallest thermometer in Baker, California

Visible from many miles away, the primary feature of the small-town of Baker is the world’s tallest thermometer. The over 130 feet tall thermometer reads 134 degrees, the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth, which was recorded in nearby Death Valley (see #2 for more information). The thermometer was raised in 1991, and has since hold the record as being the world’s tallest thermometer. It was built to bring light to the 134 degrees recorded in close-by Death Valley in July 1913, the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth. Before reaching Baker you might want to stop for a chance of taking a photo of one of America’s strangest place names, namely the Zzyzx Road. The nearby area is also one of the few places in the world where you can see the famous Joshua trees, a primary feature of the Mojave Desert. Other places worth visiting in Baker might be Peggy Sues 50’s Diner for a traditional diner experience in the desert.

7. Native-American Petroglyphs

A mostly unknown stop, the Sloan Canyon Petroglyph Site in the tiny community of Sloan, NV can nonetheless be an interesting stop for clients riding with a Los Angeles to Las Vegas limo. Particularly for those with an interest – of course – for Native-American history or cave paintings. Occupying nearly 50,000 acres, over 1,600 unique petroglyphs can be found here. While some date back to Archaic times, others are from more recent populations. Numerous Native-American groups have contributed to make this one of Nevada’s largest collections of Native-American art, including pictographs and petroglyphs from peoples such as the ancestral Pueblo, Paiute and Patayan peoples. This area may be difficult to find, being located across the freeway east of the community, but rest assure that our limo- and party bus chauffeurs know the exact location of this historic site. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 and later became a National Conservation Area in 2002. Numerous trails can be found in surrounding areas, including the Hidden Valley Trail, Petroglyph Canyon Trail, Shadow Canyon Trail and others. Remember to bring sunscreen and water from the limo as it can be (extremely) hot wandering in the desert. Sloan, Nevada is located about twenty miles south of Las Vegas.

6. Great Outlet Shopping

The Outlets at Barstow, previously known as the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, could be the most popular stop for tourists riding with our Los Angeles to Las Vegas limo services. Home to nearly 40 retail shops including stores such as Calvin Klein, the GAP, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Quicksilver, Swarovski, Tommy Hilfiger and many more. Bargain hunters and clothing brand lovers will have their favorite stop at the Outlets at Barstow.

5. Ultimate Pre-Vegas Stop

Being just an hour away from Vegas, Primm might seem like an unlikely stop for most. But nonetheless, Primm, Nevada is a popular stop for many riding with LA to Vegas party bus or limos from our service. Being a mini Vegas you can find casinos and gambling, although at a much smaller level (of course) than its much larger big brother to the north. Being just across the Nevadan border, it’s the closest Nevada-experience to California. Besides the popular “Welcome to Nevada”-sign, many clients love casinos such as the Primm Valley Resort and Whiskey Pete’s. The Desperado Roller Coaster is a city landmark passed by most on their way to Sin City, while another popular stop includes the Primm Valley Golf Club. There are also outlet stores located here, even though the number one outlet-stop would definitely be Barstow (see #6). Right before the Nevada-border you can make a stop at the Lotto Shop, a store established for Nevadans to purchase Californian lottery tickets with big pots.

4. Original Route 66

Prefer an LAX sedan?

A few Malibu limousine clients recently pointed out on the way to Vegas that there are still stretches left of the original Route 66, namely between the towns of Victorville and Barstow. On this historic stretch of Route 66 you will experience many cool original diners, antique shops, an ostrich farms and tons of other cool Route 66 stops. A beloved stop for many is the unusual Elmer’s Bottletree Ranch for a great collection of artsy bottle-trees. At Victorville’s Route 66 Museum you can enjoy many traditional Route 66-sights, including great collections of road signage, pictures and paintings, and other Route 66 favorites. The traditional historic gas station known as Mohawk is another stop that should be made, as well as the nearby Antique Station where you can check out more historic pieces of history. The historic steel bridge crossing the Mohave River is a must for photographers, while the charming Emma Jean Hollands Burger is a must for those looking for the original Route 66 meal. Don’t forget to pose by the Route 66 sign in Victorville!

3. Second-Biggest Meteorite

Make the desert trip interesting at the Desert Discovery Center!

The Desert Discovery Center in Barstow might be a stop you want to make. Here you can witness the Old Woman Meteorite, the second-largest meteorite to be found in the United States. Weighing over 6,000 lbs, the Old Woman is definitely worth a visit. And best of all, visits to the Desert Discovery Center is completely free of charge. The meteorite is three feet large across the middle and was found in 1976 about fifty miles from today’s location. The Desert Discovery Center is also home to exhibits of plants, native wildlife and fossils. Not far from the Discovery Center is where we find America’s oldest Del Taco, another place might worth visiting.

2. Hottest Place on Earth

Prefer cold? Try the San Jacinto Mountains!

Death Valley, with the highest recorded temperature of planet Earth, is a harsh environment with sand dunes and drought. Despite its naturally extreme and dry climate, there’s an interesting and rich wildlife, flora as well as beautiful sceneries. There are many reasons why so many LA to Vegas party bus clients decide to make their stop in Death Valley National Park. Either it’s for taking photos of the natural beauty of rugged mountains, sandy dunes and badlands-geography, or if it’s for seeing the ancient petroglyphs or look for desert wildlife. We’ve also had numerous LA and Malibu limousine clients heading here for recreational activities such as mountain biking, hiking or four-wheel desert driving. It might seem like an unusual place for fun, but the Death Valley region has something for anyone’s preferences. Some of the endemic wildlife found here include the iconic Bighorn sheep, Mountain lion, various species of hawks, scorpions, snakes, and much more. Having been inhabited by the Mojave people and other Native-Americans since possibly as long ago as 10,000 BCE, Death Valley has a rich history and petroglyphs from the native peoples can be found at Telescope Peak, right above Mesquite Spring, Cave Rock Spring, Sarcobatus Spring Shelter, and numerous other surrounding areas.

1. Best Ghost Town Adventure

Arguably the best ghost town adventures in Southern California can be made at the Calico Ghost, conveniently situated about halfway between LA and Vegas. Established as a silver mining community in 1881, today’s Calico is a California Historical Landmark, a San Bernardino Regional County Park and tourist attraction. Being relatively off-the-beaten track and in the midst of the Mohave Desert, it might be strange to many that this mining town once was home to as many as 1,200 people at its peak. The town is home to many old Western buildings turned into markets and souvenir shops, including a sheriff’s station, barber, fire station, hotel and more. The gunfight shows, searching for gold, mining railroad and more makes Calico the ideal ghost town experience. With all its restaurants, mini shops and cafes, Calico is a place to spend hours of time and ideal to bring the family along. Having been the largest silver-making community in the state in 1885, Calico was once home to several bars, 3 hotels, 5 grocery stores, three restaurants and numerous brothels. Calico is depicted in several songs, movies, TV-series, books and songs. Kenny Rogers album the Ballad of Calico (1972) is based on Calico, while the music video for Gorillaz “Stylo” was filmed in town. Scenes from the movie the Powler (1951) was also filmed here, and the town was also featured in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012).

There are many additional stops that could be made. The Mormon Rocks, the iconic Bottletree Ranch, the Mojave National Preserve, Alien Fresh Jerky or the Barstow Station are additional great stops to be made. We often provide our clients with Temecula wine-tasting tours which can also be enjoyed on or before hitting the road. Prefer tasting wine closer to LA? How about a Malibu limousine to the vineyards of the Malibu Canyons or a Santa Barbara limo or party bus to the Santa Ynez- or Santa Maria Valleys? For whatever occasional and whatever destination in Southern California, contact our services for the best timely and professional transportation in the region. We are a top rated provider of limo services and we’re proud to offer Southern California’s largest selection of party buses and stretch limousines!